Kallibear
Well-Known Member
Ok, so he didn't win (but also wasn't last!) but he was SUCH a good boy. It's hard to beleive he was a terrified, unhandled scruff less than 3 months ago.
It was a real weekend of Firsts for him as we headed off to a local show:
First time having a bath, inc his tail and legs.
First foot trim
First time standing to be plaited.
First time loading with another horse.
First time traveling anywhere.
First time at a show.
First time in an indoor.
First class.
First time trotting up
First time the judge touched him and lifted his tail.
He was SOOOOOOOOO good. Far better than I'd dare hope
I'm thrilled with him 
I expected him to be well behaved and do as he was told but I didn't think he's be so calm and relaxed and unstressed about it! He was as happy and settled at the show as he is at home
Stood patiently for all the plaiting and preening (barr eating the plaiting bands
), loaded and travelled like a pro. Came off the trailer so relaxed and quiet. Called a couple of times then settled down to eating his haynet. Lead round the warmup totally chilled and relaxed, ignoring all silly antics from others. Walked calmly round his class on a loose rein and stood SOOO patiently in line up. Tolerated the judge poking and prodding him, trotted up like a good boy. Stood tied to the trailer for a couple of hours afterwards, dozing, and loaded perfectly to go home AND didn't get upset when his travel partner was dropped off and he continued home by himself.
Nearly 3 months ago he arrived from Ireland utterly terrifed and almost unhandled apart from having a halter on, been led round a couple of times and been tied up. No-one had ever been horrible to him, he'd just had no work done with him. It took me a week before I could catch confidently, and weeks before I could touch him all over. He was caked in filth (he'd been living like cattle with a big herd of youngsters) and a bit skinny.
This is the day he arrived: terrified (and lonely as he was in isolation
) and filthy
And on Sunday at the show.
Stand quietly for the judge, even when she lifted his tail to look at his hocks
Trittrot in hand. Totally doesn't get the point
Demonstrating his huge ID ears. And his whiskers.
To keep ourselves occupied we played a mixture of:
Outstaring Each Other
And Show Cane Chewing, Nom nom. The pinnical of showring entertainment.
We didn't always sing from the same hymn book
But he really is a Mummies Boy
And being so good is such hard work
And the only thing I'd change about him: his white schlera
I'd soooo please with him. And relieved! After having some very stressy horses who become extremely awkward at places like shows, I really really didn't want another, no matter how talented. His temperament is everything I hoped for. Not bad for being bought unseen!
It was a real weekend of Firsts for him as we headed off to a local show:
First time having a bath, inc his tail and legs.
First foot trim
First time standing to be plaited.
First time loading with another horse.
First time traveling anywhere.
First time at a show.
First time in an indoor.
First class.
First time trotting up
First time the judge touched him and lifted his tail.
He was SOOOOOOOOO good. Far better than I'd dare hope
I'm thrilled with him I expected him to be well behaved and do as he was told but I didn't think he's be so calm and relaxed and unstressed about it! He was as happy and settled at the show as he is at home Stood patiently for all the plaiting and preening (barr eating the plaiting bands
), loaded and travelled like a pro. Came off the trailer so relaxed and quiet. Called a couple of times then settled down to eating his haynet. Lead round the warmup totally chilled and relaxed, ignoring all silly antics from others. Walked calmly round his class on a loose rein and stood SOOO patiently in line up. Tolerated the judge poking and prodding him, trotted up like a good boy. Stood tied to the trailer for a couple of hours afterwards, dozing, and loaded perfectly to go home AND didn't get upset when his travel partner was dropped off and he continued home by himself.Nearly 3 months ago he arrived from Ireland utterly terrifed and almost unhandled apart from having a halter on, been led round a couple of times and been tied up. No-one had ever been horrible to him, he'd just had no work done with him. It took me a week before I could catch confidently, and weeks before I could touch him all over. He was caked in filth (he'd been living like cattle with a big herd of youngsters) and a bit skinny.
This is the day he arrived: terrified (and lonely as he was in isolation
) and filthy
And on Sunday at the show.
Stand quietly for the judge, even when she lifted his tail to look at his hocks
Trittrot in hand. Totally doesn't get the point
Demonstrating his huge ID ears. And his whiskers.
To keep ourselves occupied we played a mixture of:
Outstaring Each Other
And Show Cane Chewing, Nom nom. The pinnical of showring entertainment.
We didn't always sing from the same hymn book
But he really is a Mummies Boy
And being so good is such hard work
And the only thing I'd change about him: his white schlera
I'd soooo please with him. And relieved! After having some very stressy horses who become extremely awkward at places like shows, I really really didn't want another, no matter how talented. His temperament is everything I hoped for. Not bad for being bought unseen!
Well done!
